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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Detent pocket chronometer

Hoff & Fils Hunting-Cased Pocket Chronometer

Partially verified

This 18k yellow gold hunting-cased pocket chronometer was produced by Hoff & Fils in Switzerland, dated circa 1890. It was manufactured for the Spanish market. The watch features a manual wind movement, specifically a 19''' caliber with 3/4 plate construction. The movement is nickel-plated and incorporates a pivoted detent escapement paired with a free-sprung spherical balance spring, sometimes described as a helical balance spring. The watch is signed by the maker on both the case and the movement. It includes a subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position. The auction description lists the condition as including slight oxidation and scratches on the dial, with the movement noted as requiring an overhaul. The case measures 53 mm in diameter.

Movement view of the Hoff & Fils chronometer showing the pivoted detent escapement and blue-tempered spherical balance spring.
Movement view of the Hoff & Fils chronometer showing the pivoted detent escapement and blue-tempered spherical balance spring. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Detent pocket chronometer
Maker / attribution
Hoff & Fils
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
317
Source-reported date
circa 1890
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
44002

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Dial

The watch is housed in an 18k yellow gold hunting case. The exterior features ornate engraving along the sides of the case. The dial displays a silvered finish with Roman numerals for the hour markers and a subsidiary seconds dial positioned at the 6 o'clock mark. The center of the dial is decorated with an intricate floral motif.

The auction description reports that the dial exhibits some oxidation and minor scratching. The overall condition grade assigned by the auction house for the case is 'Good', noting that the surface shows slight wear and scratching consistent with its age.

Evidence for this section
  • “fine, 18k yellow gold, manual wind made for the Spanish market, hunting-cased”
  • “Dial: 3-6-8-01 Good Slightly oxidized Slightly scratched”
  • “Case: 3-8-11 Good Slightly scratched Slightly worn”

Movement and Escapement

The movement is a 19-ligne, nickel-plated 3/4 plate caliber containing 22 jewels. It utilizes a pivoted detent escapement, a mechanism intended for precision timekeeping. The movement is fitted with a blue-tempered, free-sprung spherical balance spring.

The auction house recommends an overhaul for the movement. The signature of Hoff & Fils appears on the movement plate, which also features Geneva-style striping decoration across the plates. The movement is a manual wind caliber.

Evidence for this section
  • “Caliber 19''', 22 jewels,3/4 plate, nickel plated, pivoted detent chronometer escapement, free-sprung spherical balance spring.”
  • “Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense”

Signatures and Attribution

The timepiece is signed by Hoff & Fils, both on the movement and the watch case. The firm was based in Switzerland and the records indicate this specific piece was made for the Spanish market.

Hoff & Fils is recognized in horological literature primarily for their production of tourbillon ebauches, although few examples of these have been documented.

Evidence for this section
  • “Signature Case and movement”
  • “Hoff & Fils were best known for their tourbillon ebauches of which few are known to survive.”
  • “made for the Spanish market”

Open research questions

  • What specific archival records confirm the identification of this watch as having been produced for the Spanish market?
  • Are there extant movement records that allow for a more precise dating than the 'circa 1890' estimate provided?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Hoff & Fils Hunting-Cased Pocket Chronometer
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerHoff & Fils“Hoff & Fils, Switzerland”
Case Material18k yellow gold“18k yellow gold”
Case Number44002“Case No. 44002”
Movement Type19''' caliber, 3/4 plate, nickel plated“Caliber 19''', 22 jewels,3/4 plate, nickel plated”
EscapementPivoted detent“pivoted detent chronometer escapement”
Balance SpringFree-sprung spherical“free-sprung spherical balance spring”
Diameter53 mm“Diameter 53 mm”
ConditionDial has slight oxidation and scratches; movement needs overhaul“Movement: 3* Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense Dial: 3-6-8-01 Good Slightly oxidized Slightly scratched”

Visible details

  • The dial features an ornate engraved and floral pattern at the center.
  • The movement is a nickel-plated 3/4 plate design.
  • The balance spring is a blue-tempered spherical type.
  • The case exhibits engraved decoration on the exterior band.

Research qualifications

  • The exact requirement for an overhaul is not specified beyond a general recommendation.
  • The attribution to the Spanish market is stated by the source without providing specific archival evidence.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

HOFF & FILS, SWITZERLAND, DETENT CHRONOMETER, DETENT ESCAPEMENT HELICAL BALANCE SPRING, 18K YELLOW GOLD

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record e3410838b9

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.